Authorities said Antoine Lachance was driving the 1991 Toyota Tercel at 3:30 a.m. Saturday when the car, packed with teenagers and young adults, hit an icy stretch, yawed to the right and went into the pond next to Gunlock Road, a few hundred yards off U.S. Highway 93.
“There is evidence of alcohol and drug consumption,” said Montana Highway Patrolman Jim Sanderson, who is heading the investigation of the wreck. Sanderson said Lachance was not cited at the scene.
Killed were 22-year-old Antoinette Leona Acevedo of St. Ignatius and 20-year-old Michael-Marie Cottet of Charlo.
The Montana Highway Patrol did not release the names of two male juveniles from Ronan, ages 16 and 14, who were in the car, but said Michelle Edmo, 19, of Polson and Cheryl Edmo, 18, of Ronan, were also injured in the crash and taken to St. Luke Hospital in Ronan.
A hospital spokeswoman said she could not release any information on the injured victims, or even say if any were still hospitalized.
The car rolled onto its top on the ice-covered pond, then broke through the ice and sank, wheels pointed skyward.
At least two people, Lachance and a teenage boy, escaped from the partially submerged car, found openings in the ice and sought help at nearby homes. Betsy Potter, who came to the door when the boy rang her doorbell, said the teenager told her that the seven had been at a party.
According to Potter, the boy also said he and the other juvenile had ridden to the party in a different vehicle, but their ride left earlier and they asked Lachance for a lift home.
Sheriff Lucky Larson, four Lake County deputies, Trooper Sanderson and Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal policeman Sgt. Ed Dumont all responded to the scene, as well as the Ronan Fire Department and ambulances from St. Ignatius, Ronan and Polson.
Reporter Vince Devlin can be reached at 406-319-2117 or at vdevlin@missoulian.com
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